N82bn Fraud: Court Adjourns Yahaya Bello’s Trial To June 26
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, over alleged N82 billion fraud to June 26, 27, and July 3, 4, 2025.
Justice Emeka Nwite gave the adjournment to allow ruling on an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to re-examine a key witness.
Bello is standing trial on a 19-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering to the tune of N80.2billion, allegedly in violation of Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).
The EFCC’s application focuses on its third witness, Nicholas Ojehomon, who had earlier testified on Exhibit 19 — a document linked to the payment of school fees for Bello’s children at the American International School, Abuja.
EFCC counsel, Olukayode Eniola, SAN, argued that re-examining the witness was necessary to clarify issues that emerged during cross-examination, adding that the defence tampered with the said exhibit and avoided key questions.
Eniola insisted, “We are not examining the witness afresh. We are seeking to re-examine him on new matters that arose in cross-examination, particularly concerning Exhibit 19.”
He cited Section 215(3) of the Evidence Act and Section 32 of the Constitution to support the right to a fair hearing, adding that denying re-examination would amount to a miscarriage of justice.
The defence, led by J.B. Daudu, SAN, opposed the application, resulting in a heated legal exchange.
To buttress its case, the EFCC cited Supreme Court and Court of Appeal decisions, including Ameobi vs. Ameobi, Haruna vs. Modibbo (2004), Aziz vs. Lagos State (2020), Adeniji vs. Lagos State (2020), and Gado vs. Iliyasu (2014).
Justice Nwite reserved ruling on the application and adjourned proceedings to the set dates for continuation of the trial.
Sodiq Yusuf is a trained media practitioner and journalist with considerable years of experience in print, broadcast, and digital journalism. His interests cover a wide range of causes in politics, governance, sports, community development, and good governance.
